Video Below:There are basically three types of rocket engines; solid fuel, liquid fuel, and a hybrid that uses a solid combustible source and a gas oxidizer like oxygen. The pasta rocket engine is a hybrid and uses pasta, a complex carbohydrate as the fuel, and oxygen as the oxidizer. The pasta is a tubular type like Ziti, and the oxygen source comes from hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The oxygen is liberated from the peroxide with any baking yeast, which contains an enzyme that catalyzes the production of the O2. The hydrogen peroxide is a standard 3 % V/V available at all drug stores and most markets. The 3 % simply means that for each milliliter of H2O2 there will be 3 milliliters of O2 generated. The yeast is available at all super markets as well. The tubing that I used was made of brass but aluminum will work as well. The size depends on the size of the tubular pasta. I have done this experiment many times over the years and have recently seen it on the web. But, there are usually very poor descriptions of what is happening and fail to address the major problem of uncontrolled burning. Hopefully, this post clears up the issues and provides some fun. The production of O2 from H2O2 is exothermic and does become quite warm. But it is a good source of oxygen for many experiments. But as with all experiments with fire and oxygen, USE CAUTION. Enjoy!Important Note: Although it seems obvious, I failed to mention in the video that in all cases there has to be a small hole drilled or punched in any lid used. This allows the O2 to flow into the tubular pasta and eliminates pressure build-up in the container. So, drill a 1/8 inch hole and then add the nut if desired.

what is the chemical equation for this experiment? need it for school project.

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Ken

4/28/2016 11:17:39 am

Max,
2H2O2>2H2O + O2(g)
In general, catalysts work by providing a place where reactants can come together to react. Cells in yeast and other organisms contain a catalyst called catalase. Through normal cell processes, living things produce hydrogen peroxide in their cells. But hydrogen peroxide is a poison so the cells need a way to break it down very quickly. Cells contain catalase, which breaks down hydrogen peroxide at a very fast rate. A single molecule of catalase can catalyze the breakdown of millions of hydrogen peroxide molecules every second. The catalyst (yeast) is not part of the equation as it does not enter into the products so is not included in the equation. Hope that this helps, Ken.

I am wondering when we do the reaction, what will the chemical equation be after the reaction happens?

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Ken

11/30/2016 02:58:17 pm

Brendan,
I believe that the first comment explains the reaction and the resulting residual products, Thanks, Ken.

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Brendan

12/1/2016 06:22:22 am

Thanks, Ken.

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Jasmine

12/5/2016 06:18:20 am

Hi Ken, thank you for the information on the pasta rocket engine. It has been really helpful in my experiment, but what is the objective of the experiment?

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Jasmine

12/5/2016 06:22:51 am

Also, how much of each ingredient would I need to produce this experiment.

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Ken

12/5/2016 08:01:13 am

Hi Jasmine,
This is a simple explanation of hybrid rocket propulsion where the fuel is consumed as the pasta, and oxidized by the oxygen in the hydrogen peroxide. If this concept could be safely converted to a vehicle with wheels it would have some thrust and move. But, this is just a useful experiment to demonstrate thrust, Ken.

Ken

12/5/2016 05:06:19 pm

Jasmine,
It is difficult to provide numbers as the pasta has variable carbohydrate as a fuel. The length of the burn is also determined by the fuel. But there is enough thrust so that you could feel it as it pushes backwards. The best advice that I can give is to just allow an excess of the H2O2 and it will work. Ken.

gen

1/10/2017 10:29:18 am

what type of chemical reaction is this? and what is the balanced chemical reaction?

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Ken

1/10/2017 11:33:59 am

Hi Gen,
If you check the first comment above you will see the balanced reaction. The write up also explains the process. Thanks, Ken.

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ziti

5/3/2017 07:49:28 am

Um what reaction is this i need it for a school project. (examples: Acid based, redox... many more)

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The author has an eclectic background in chemistry, electronics, writing, mental health, and community action...Ken